noun
Common
Lincoln
LIHNG-kuhn
Lincoln (noun) means an American brand of luxury automobiles. Example: “He drove a black Lincoln to the ceremony.”
noun
1
An American brand of luxury automobiles.
"He drove a black Lincoln to the ceremony."
2
A US five-dollar bill, so called because it bears a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
"He handed the cashier a couple of Lincolns."
How to use Lincoln
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the car brand, or slang for a five-dollar bill.
When to use it
The "five-dollar bill" sense is informal American slang.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Lincolns
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He drove a black _____ to the ceremony.
Etymology
The car brand and the informal name for the five-dollar bill both derive from US President Abraham Lincoln, whose portrait appears on the note.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Lincoln” mean?
The word “Lincoln” means an American brand of luxury automobiles. In plain terms, either the car brand, or slang for a five-dollar bill.
How do you pronounce “Lincoln”?
“Lincoln” is pronounced LIHNG-kuhn (/ˈlɪŋ.kən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Lincoln” in a sentence?
Here is “Lincoln” used in a sentence: “He drove a black Lincoln to the ceremony.”
What part of speech is “Lincoln”?
“Lincoln” is a noun.
Is “Lincoln” a common word?
“Lincoln” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Lincoln” have?
“Lincoln” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an American brand of luxury automobiles.
Why is a five-dollar bill called a 'Lincoln'?
In informal American usage, a 'Lincoln' means a five-dollar bill because the note carries a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. This is similar to calling a ten-dollar bill a 'Hamilton'.
What kind of company is Lincoln the car brand?
Lincoln is an American brand of luxury automobiles. As a proper noun it is capitalised and refers to the vehicle marque rather than a general type of car.
How do you know if 'Lincoln' means the car or the money?
Context decides the meaning: a 'Lincoln' in a sentence about vehicles refers to the luxury car brand, while a 'Lincoln' in casual talk about cash means a five-dollar bill. The surrounding words make the intended sense clear.
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